|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Bands |
| |
 Cahill
Locals Bob Antonelli and Scott O’Brien of rock/pop/jazz duo Cahill spend their summers strumming and singing for passersby from across the country and abroad at Boston’s historic Faneuil Hall. Years of collaboration between the two have created flawless harmonies and infectious lyrics heard on 2005’s “Blend” and last year’s “At the Seams.” Earlier this year, Cahill beat out thousands to win singer-songwriter and overall grand prizes on music site Ourstage.com.
They spend the colder months touring venues down the coast, but return to Sox territory to play everything from Earthfest to the Governor’s inaugural party – and they chronicle it all via amusing video blogs. Cahill are a local Boston staple not to be missed. -- Allison Moore
 The Graces
From Sonny and Cher to the White Stripes, the boy/girl duo always seems to have a spark that light hearts on fire. Enter The Graces, the latest coed combo who is currently working its way through the mean streets of Allston with a fresh pop/folk sound.
Comprised of Massachusetts native Eli Schwartz and New York City transplant Katie Schecter – both Boston University students – the two spent the first half of 2008 recording their debut EP, “Songs for John.” “Our crazy producer, John, thinks that the music business is dead and there is no hope for anyone to make it anymore,” Schecter says. “We decided when naming the record that all we really wanted to do was to prove John wrong and make him proud.”
So far, they have. Having split the summer of 2008 between playing shows in Boston and New York, The Graces are looking forward to spreading their infectious sound with more shows and a new album. – Charlie Adelman
 Vikesh Kapoor
Vikesh Kapoor is not afraid to make a statement. With his dark tan, signature felt trilby hat, and pale yellow jeans, he appears to have just emerged from the Pennsylvania Wilds, where in fact he was born and raised.
Yet even with his get-up, Kapoor is no gimmick; he is a true folk aficionado whose music references traditionalists like Woody Guthrie and Pete Seeger. His fiery performances have inspired a frenzy of hooting and hollering at house shows, communal foot stomping at P.A.’s Lounge and even captured the attention of Josh Ritter, for whom he played in a moonlit alley outside Club Passim.
Check out Kapoor’s self-produced 2008 debut EP, “On the Tail of a White Donkey,” comprised of story-songs ranging from a haggard construction worker to a false prophet. – Alyssa Benjamin
 Pray for Polanski
Songwriting is not dead! If you catch one of Boston-based Pray for Polanki’s shows, you’ll be treated to a usually up-tempo smorgasbord of loud, oddball imagery. The group is fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist/occasional instigator Aviv Rubinstien, who is backed by the sweet harmonies of vocalist Anne Warnock (sometimes, she’ll play the tambourine if you ask nicely). The five-piece rounds out with drummer Dan Ramspacher, Jerry Skefos on trumpet and Andrew Muro on bass. Not to be missed live, catch the band at one of their Boston haunts or on tour in support of the EP “The Ghost and Bones.” – Laura Hayner
 The Sterns
The Sterns create catchy pop with a political twist. Combining ‘60s-styled harmonies with a sense of humor and rebellion, the band has quickly earned local accolades and comparisons to the Kinks, Elvis Costello and Belle & Sebastian. The group’s most recent album, “Sinners Stick Together,” is relevant and too effervescent to be preachy. The single "Supreme Girl" is a bouncy imagined love letter between President Bush and failed Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers.
The Sterns are currently working on their third album and will be featured in the latest edition of the popular “Rock Band” video game series. – Lucia Marconi
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Amherst, Massachusetts |
|
Athens, Georgia |
|
Austin, Texas |
|
Bloomington, Indiana |
|
Boston, Massachusetts |
|
Chapel Hill, North Carolina |
|
Chicago, Illinois |
|
Iowa City, Iowa |
|
Lincoln, Nebraska |
|
Los Angeles, California |
|
Madison, Wisconsin |
|
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
|
Nashville, Tennessee |
|
Omaha, Nebraska |
|
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|
State College, Pennsylvania |
|
|
| |
|
RELATED UWIRE CONTENT |
NEWS
We Are Scientists talk music, chocolate chip bagels
Before their performance at the Orpheum Theatre last Thursday, I got a chance to talk with Keith Murray, lead singer and guitarist of the duo, We Are Scientists, who are on tour with The Whigs and Kings of Leon. At a Finagle A Bagel around the corner of the Theater, Murray talked about a potential new addition to the band, explained the difficulties of playing a Halloween gig dressed as a ghost and shed some light on the “science” of the chocolate chip bagel just in time to catch The Whigs –– his new favorite band –– open the show.
» More
|
|
REVIEWS
Bon Iver tops Collegian's year-end list
In review, 2008 had its share of monumental releases. With new records from media darlings Coldplay and Kanye West, the popular music industry certainly kept itself busy.
» More
|
This section's contents are produced entirely by student journalists, brought to Billboard.com by UWIRE, the leading provider of
student-generated content. UWIRE aims to identify and promote the brightest young content creators and deliver their work to a larger
audience via professional media partners such as Billboard.com.
Visit UWIRE.com to learn more.
|
|
|
|
